Pediatric Gilbert’s syndrome

Q: How common is Gilbert's disease?

A fairly common condition, Gilbert’s disease is typically harmless. In children with this condition, the liver does not properly process bilirubin, which is a normal byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. This condition is also known as constitutional hepatic dysfunction or familial nonhemolytic jaundice.

Overview

What is pediatric Gilbert’s syndrome?

Gilbert’s syndrome is a liver disorder in which bilirubin is not properly processed.

This syndrome was first identified by doctors Nicholas A. Gilbert and Pierre Lereboullet in the early 1900's.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric Gilbert’s syndrome?

The only symptom of Gilbert’s disease is jaundice, which is caused by the increased levels of bilirubin in the child’s blood.

Causes

What are the causes of pediatric Gilbert’s syndrome?

A gene mutation that is hereditary (passed down in families) causes Gilbert’s disease. There are certain conditions and situations that can lead to increased bilirubin levels.

These include: